Your Wicks guide to family-friendly places to eat, play and wind down in Marrickville. Made for playdates, after-school snacks and weekend outings for the whole family.
Sometimes you want a proper meal and a spot of family tennis on the side. Sometimes you just want everyone fed, happy, and home before the wheels fall off. The good news? Marrickville is very good at both.
From sunny courtyards and cubby houses to robot waiters and milkshakes that fix most afternoons, these are the places locals lean on when dining out with little ones — without feeling like you’ve chosen fun over flavour.
All are tried, tested, and within easy reach of Wicks Place.
Casa Do Benfica at the Marrickville Hardcourt Tennis Club
📍12-minute drive from Wicks Place
Part sports club, part neighbourhood canteen — and quietly one of the best family-friendly afternoons in the Inner West. Start with a casual game of tennis (kids welcome, rackets optional), then wander straight into Casa Do Benfica for home-style Portuguese cooking beloved by chefs and the food-obsessed. Think generous plates, familiar flavours, and a relaxed, sunlit courtyard where kids can roam while grown-ups settle in. There’s often live music on weekends, too. Perfect for playdates and big family gatherings.
Sushi Train Marrickville
📍Right downstairs at Wicks Place
Early dinner, but make it entertaining. Sushi Train’s robot waiter is reason enough for most kids to behave (at least briefly), while the conveyor belt keeps everyone engaged and fed at their own pace.
The kids’ box — with udon, bite-sized favourites and familiar flavours — makes this an easy post-school or early evening option. Quick, reliable, and surprisingly calm for a family meal, especially when no one wants to wait.
Splash Petersham Pool & Café
📍7-minute drive from Wicks Place
A little further afield than the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, but well worth the trip on warm days. Splash Petersham — by the team behind Superfreak Café just up the road — pairs a well-loved local swimming spot (including a kids’ pool) with a café that actually caters to adults. Expect 10/10 coffee, a Splice Shake for the kids, shaded seating, and a mean chip butty that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Chargrill Charlie’s Marrickville
📍Downstairs at Wicks Place
An after-school classic, weekend fallback, and weeknight hero all in one. Chargrill Charlie’s covers everyone: roast chicken, wraps, nuggets, chips, and milkshakes that feel like a reward. To make it a picnic? Grab takeaway and head across to Wicks Park, or settle in for a quick dinner before homework time. Familiar, generous, and reliably popular with smaller diners.
The Henson Park Hotel
📍8-minute drive from Wicks Place
A Marrickville institution for a reason. Tucked behind Marrickville Road, this long-standing local club offers a sun-soaked (and dog-friendly) courtyard, unfussy hospitality, and a menu that understands kids don’t need novelty — just good food served quickly.
There’s a dedicated kids’ playroom, a thoughtful children’s menu, and enough space for adults to settle in while little ones stay occupied. Order something cold for yourself — then stay longer than planned.
Double Roasters
📍5-minute drive from Wicks Place
A café that truly understands its audience. Double Roasters’ leafy courtyard and much-loved cubby house make it a favourite with families, while the menu and specialty coffee roasted on-site keep adults very happy. Perfect for mid-morning catch-ups, post-drop-off lattes, or long lunches that stretch just a little further because no one’s in a rush to leave.
Zambrero, Marrickville
📍Downstairs at Wicks Place
Fast, customisable, and easy to please. Zambrero’s bowls, burritos and quesadillas translate well for kids — simple fillings, mild flavours, and portions that can be tailored to fussy palates. It’s a practical choice that still feels fresh, nourishing — and most importantly of all, delicious — especially for nights when everyone wants something different but no one wants to wait.
